Long pepper

Piper longum, P. retrofractum

spice

Small dried spikes of an Asian vine, a cousin of black pepper, with a warm, slightly sweet heat; grated or pounded. It provides piperine, like black pepper.

Origin

India and Indonesia

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

A spike is finely grated or pounded just before serving, like pepper; whole, it flavours a stew or stock and is removed.

Molecules

Piperine

Did you know?

The Greeks and Romans knew it well; but for the Romans, the word “pepper” usually meant black pepper.